Stroud, ON – Brent McLean (No. 7 Bowmanville Home Building Centre) took his pole starting spot on Saturday night and never looked back, leading all 30 laps at Sunset Speedway en route to his second feature win of 2013.
The young driver from Conn, Ont. rattled off an impressive win at Sunset Speedway, leading by nearly a full straightaway prior to a pair of cautions on lap 24.
“Before that caution came out, we were on cruise control,” said McLean. “My dad was telling me how many car lengths we were ahead so we could stay ahead, but so we didn’t use up our stuff in case that caution came out.”
With McLean leading Brad Pearsall (No.1B Plaza Kia) and Gary McLean (No.8 McLean Industrial Design), Brent did not want to see the late race caution caused by a spinning Branden Bullen (No. 67 Alliston Transmission) in turn four.
Caution flew one more time on the ensuing restart when Chad Strawn (No. 77 Canadian Heroes), making his first career OSCAAR start, got turned around in turn one.
Brent explained although they didn’t want to see yellow, the team quickly formulated a plan under caution.
“I knew the 8 car and the 1B were going to be there,” said Brent. “I knew I had to get a little bit of a jump on the restart to get by them and use the track that I needed.”
“We got the jump there, and we ended up with the ‘W’,” added Brent.
Brent did exactly as he planned, getting a great jump on the restart to pull away from Pearsall. Barry Newman (No. 1 Vipond Fire Protection) used the restart to get in to the third spot, as he moved around Gary McLean on the preferred outside line.
Pearsall would hold down the second spot, but didn’t have enough laps left to track down the No.7. Pearsall’s No. 1B looked to be tracking down Brent prior to the caution as the car improved on the long green flag run, but lost the momentum once the yellow flew. Regardless, Pearsall earned his second podium finish in as many starts this season.
“It’s frustrating when you’re having problems, but it’s so nice to overcome them,” said Pearsall on his early season success after a dismal 2012 campaign. “As for running with these guys, I’m having a blast. Gary McLean, that was a blast to run with him. I’ve never really had a lot of chances to run with him.”
Newman would hold on to the third position over the final six laps, holding off Gary McLean who would finish fourth. Gary’s fourth-place result was his first off the podium this season. Justin Demelo (No.82 EMCO Waterwoks/Demar Aggregates) rounded out the top-five.
OSCAAR Super Late Model points leader Brandon Watson made his first OSCAAR Modified start in the George Woods-owned No.34 and finished sixth.
The fast-paced, clean event was good news for all drivers in attendance with a full race night scheduled for Sunday as well.
By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)
Brent McLean Post-Race Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjLJd_dIHJE
Brad Pearsall Post-Race Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RsS-Ko9psM
Results: Sunset Speedway 30-Lap A-Main – Saturday June 29, 2013 (Starting Position in Parentheses)
1. 7 Brent McLean (1)
2. 1B Brad Pearsall (4)
3. 1 Barry Newman (9)
4. 8 Gary McLean (7)
5. 82 Justin Demelo (5)
6. 34 Brandon Watson
7. 39 Shane Stickel (R) (8)
8. 47 Brian McLean (12)
9. 2 Matt Barton (10)
10. 67jr Branden Bullen (3)
11. 88 Ryan Dick (R) (15)
12. 77 Brian Strawn (R) (11)
13. 11 Dave Osborne (R) (13)
14. 14 Davey Terry (14) (DNF)
15. 91 Mike Westwood (R) (15) (DNF)
16. 13 Bobby Tolton (R) (DNS)
Heat Race Winners: 7 Brent McLean, 8 Gary McLean, 67jr Branden Bullen, 34 Brandon Watson
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